Field Notes: Sparrows and Specialty Shorebirds

Fox Sparrow.

Photo by Jeff Bryant.

By aerin tedesco, CCAS Field Trip Chair

While peak migration is starting to wind down, we hope to find some fancy orange sparrows and specialty shorebirds on their way south.  And we look forward to November rarities as the weather gets even cooler.

CCAS led a field trip at Weaver Park in Urbana on Saturday, October 11. It is the best wetland in the city, and one of the only places in the whole county to see the elusive LeConte’s and Nelson’s Sparrows. Though some birders found a LeConte’s Sparrow earlier in the morning, the field trip folks were not able to relocate it. Another trip was offered on October 18, so participants had another shot at it!

Don’t forget to join us for Birds and Brews on Tuesday, October 21 at Triptych Brewing in Savoy at 6 pm. If you can’t make it, we will host another gathering in November. Watch the events page for more details.

And mark your calendars for the annual Sandhill Crane field trip on November 15 and a waterfowl expedition to Clinton Lake on December 6. Watch the website for details.